U19 Gaelic Football Blitz
4th March 2019
Under 19 Ulster Colleges Blitz
St. Patrick’s 2-00
St. Joseph’s Derry 0-00
A very positive start from the boys in their first group game saw them dominate their Derry counterparts, with Corey Little scoring both goals and Morgan Dennison putting in a strong shift in midfield. James O’Boyle also deserves mention for reading the game very well in the full back line and swept up a lot of loose ball in the defence.
St. Patrick’s 3-02
Sperrin Magherafelt 2-01
A really good contest here, Ballymena were pushed to the final whistle by Magherafelt, but goals at vital times from Oisin O’Mullan, Niall Esler and a stunner from Ryan Martin helped to see St. Patrick’s build momentum and notch their second victory in the group.
St. Patrick’s 1-03
Edmund Rice 0-00
St. Patrick’s ensured a semi-final spot with this win over the Glengormley side, but it took them a while to settle and begin to break down Edmund Rice. Niall Esler tagged on two well-taken points to steady the ship and when Corey Little added a well-worked goal, the game was as good as over. Some fine stops from the very impressive Josh Mark really gave the Ballymena boys a platform and a safe pair of hands at the back, whilst Conall Gordon and Oisin O’Mullan were gaining confidence and supporting the dependable Corey Little in the forward line.
St. Patrick’s
Shimna Integrated (conceded)
St. Patrick’s 0-01
Blessed Trinity 0-04
A bit of an anti-climax to the day here, where the boys never really got going against the Belfast boys. Perhaps fatigue had set in, with the boys second to too many balls and Trinity made the most of this, taking their points and controlling possession against a disjointed Ballymena side. Some commendable battling from young players such as Jude Casey and Ryan Martin, St. Patrick’s will hope for a rematch with the Belfast side, should they progress past Sperrin Magherafelt, who they now meet in the Ulster semi-final.
